Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Eric Garza on April 03, 2015, 02:08:57 pm

Title: Heat treating osage?
Post by: Eric Garza on April 03, 2015, 02:08:57 pm

I'm about to start an osage bow, and wonder if anyone's had particular good or bad experiences heat treating osage. I've heat treated hickory, elm, hophornbeam and maple with good results, just haven't tried it on osage.

Title: Re: Heat treating osage?
Post by: Buckeye Guy on April 03, 2015, 02:28:50 pm

I think all wood responds well to heat treating , some just better than others
Don't over do it

Title: Re: Heat treating osage?
Post by: paulsemp on April 03, 2015, 02:44:43 pm

in my opinion Osage does very well with heat treating

Title: Re: Heat treating osage?
Post by: Badger on April 03, 2015, 03:06:41 pm

  I agree, osage does very well. About the only woods I don't heat treat are yew and possibly in the future plum, ocean spray is another one, I can't imagine it getting any better than it allready is.

Title: Re: Heat treating osage?
Post by: SLIMBOB on April 03, 2015, 06:15:44 pm

Yep, same her.  Lots of knots on the back, I may not, but otherwise I heat treat all of 'em.

Title: Re: Heat treating osage?
Post by: Sidewinder on April 04, 2015, 10:47:36 am

When it comes to heat treating osage I only do it if Im trying to induce reflex. It responds exceptionally well to the heat gun but if its a nice piece already I dont bother as Im not sure it benefits from it as much as some white woods. Curious to see others opnions though. Danny

Title: Re: Heat treating osage?
Post by: Pat B on April 04, 2015, 10:50:57 am

I've heat treated most of the bows I've built in the last few years, osage included. When I'm adding reflex to an osage bow I not only heat it enough to add the reflex but but come back around and scorch the belly to a chocolate brown color for tempering.